CHIEFS SEEK TRANSPARENCY IN MINING ACTIVITIES
NORTH-WESTERN Province Council of Chiefs Chairperson Chief Mumena has called on the Zambia Chamber of Mines (ZCM) to ensure that there is more transparency in the mining supply chain.
Chief Mumena expressed concern that small and medium enterprise companies from the region always have to plead for the mining companies to include them in mining business models.
The traditional leader said this at the Zambia-Canada Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) forum held in Solwezi district.
“Talking about contractors I think the big major contractors that are known in all the mining firms are having their fair share of their businesses because even their negotiations are at a very high level, sometimes international but my concern is on the SMEs and the smaller contractors that are based locally.”
“Why should they every time be going on their knees before they can even be considered to supply two rims of paper," Chief Mumena said.
He said these are the things that the Zambia Chamber of Mines should look at to ensure that there is more transparency for the smaller companies to be given an opportunity.
Chief Mumena said this will bring about proper inclusion for the local small and medium enterprise (SMEs).
He said when measures are too stringent just to have a company enlisted, this opens a room for too much corruption.
Chief Mumena has since called for the responsible business model to be critically looked at.
And a representative from the office of Canadian high commissioner to Zambia Solomon Milimbo said Responsible Business Conduct is at the nexus of many priorities for Canada such as the respect for human rights, taking actions on Climate, promoting inclusive trade, and upholding the rights of indigenous people.
Mr Milimbo further said Canada has a balanced approach to Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) which includes prevention, legislation in specific areas and access to non-judicial disputes resolution mechanisms.
"Canada and Zambia have a lot in common, both Countries are committed to attracting and supporting responsible business Conduct that generate benefits for the Citizen.